A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft airlifted humanitarian supplies worth $100,000 to the Philippines this afternoon to provide relief to displaced civilians affected by the ongoing security situation in the southern Philippines. The relief package, comprising tents, blankets, medical supplies, food items and water filtration devices were donated by the SAF and the Singapore Red Cross (SRC).

The aid supplies were handed over to representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Office of Civil Defense by the SAF Mission Commander, Colonel Lee Kuan Chung, Director of the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC) and Mr Nazeer Bin Basir, Executive (International Services), SRC.

These efforts follow Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's in principle acceptance of the SAF's offer of assistance to the Philippines during Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen's visit to the Philippines in July 2017. Dr Ng also offered the use of the SAF's urban training villages for AFP troops, and a detachment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to enhance the AFP's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.